The Shift in Identity (From "Me" to "Mum")

They say when a baby is born, a mother is born, too. Looking back at the woman you were before Rae arrived, what is one thing you gently miss about her, and one thing you love so much more about the woman you are now?

If I’m completely honest, there is a part of me that misses how beautifully carefree I used to be. I miss that feeling of just being able to say 'yes' to absolutely everything without a second thought, which allowed me to experience so much. Living a fast-paced life in London meant I had nothing tying me down. It was a wonderful chapter.

But the woman I am now... she just has so much more room in her world for love. Before Rae arrived, I genuinely didn't realise it was possible to love this deeply. Having her showed me how you can instantly connect with and completely fall in love with someone you’ve never even met before. And an unexpected, beautiful bonus? Falling in love all over again, even more deeply, with my partner as I watch him become such an amazing father.

The transition from having total freedom to giving your absolute all to a tiny human is a massive shock to the system. In those early days of zero 'me time,' how did you grieve your old life while simultaneously falling in love with your new one?

That transition is incredibly challenging. On one hand, you crave your old life because it's so familiar and appealing, yet on the other hand, you can't actually imagine going back to it. It feels almost like a tug-of-war, but there is this incredibly strong, maternal instinct pulling you toward wanting to be the absolute best mum you can be. You find yourself loving it, even when it is just so hard. It really is a classic case of nature stepping in and taking over.

I think what really saved us in those early days was the groundwork we laid beforehand. Long before I even became pregnant, my husband and I talked at length about how we were going to navigate parenthood. We discussed exactly what we wanted and what we would need from each other. We were already an amazing team, and we felt truly 'ready' to step into this next stage of our lives together. In many ways, the process of becoming parents started long before the birth."

Before becoming a mum, we all have ideas of what is 'important' in life. How has Rae completely rewritten your definition of a perfect, successful day?

It’s funny how much your perspective shifts. Before Rae, the things I thought were so important usually revolved around big social events or my work. And don't get me wrong, those things still hold value for me.

But today? My definition of a perfect, successful day is entirely different. Now, perfection simply comes from being around my family. It’s hearing my daughter’s giggles, getting outside to explore nature, and just soaking in new experiences together. I’ve realised that the most important thing in life isn't the hustle, it's having a healthy, happy family, and creating a warm environment where our daughter can truly thrive.